Long-time municipal councillor, Wayne Henley (left) was acclaimed Jan. 19 as the provincial Liberal candidate for the Riding of Queens. At his right is provincial Liberal Party leader and MLA, Stephen McNeil. Mark Roberts Photo
Councillor acclaimed as Queens Liberal candidate
Some Queens Liberal Association members had to park across the street from a crowded Brooklyn Community Centre Jan. 19 to see long-time Region of Queens councillor, Wayne Henley become the acclaimed candidate for the riding of Queens.
The association also held its annual general meeting. The members of the Queens Liberal Association executive are President Allan Aucoin, Vice-President Margaret Campbell, Treasurer Murray Smith, Membership Eugene Penney and Secretary Eileen Blair.
Henley was emotional about the acclamation as were members. In the last provincial election, the Liberals briefly had a candidate who was forced to pull out due to health reasons.
Henley’s voice broke during his acceptance speech. “My heart is really fluttering at this moment. I’m really looking forward to having our party at the lead in this province as it should be.”
Liberal Party Leader, Stephen McNeil later said Henley’s emotion shows he cares about the community and people more than the job. He added anyone who enters politics for a job, not the people, should leave. “This is about making a different for Nova Scotia.”
Henley described Queens’ many attributes, including the area’s diverse culture. However, if elected, he vowed to fight for the riding’s numerous concerns, including upgrading Highway 103, especially in the dangerous Port Joli area, to work to diversify the economy, especially after the recent downturn in the forestry industry, to continue to work to improve the health care system and to find solutions to the population decline, to name just some examples.
“It seems we’re always put on the backburner by this provincial government,” he added.
The veteran of municipal politics – over 15 years - was nominated by Region of Queens Deputy Mayor Doug Adams and seconded by Counc. Susan MacLeod.
Adams described Henley’s life as one of dedication to the community. Henley spent his whole career, until his recent retirement, at Queens General Hospital, where he was a medical laboratory technologist, Chief Technologist and Senior Technologist. He chaired the Nova Scotia Lab Managers Association.
Besides council, Henley also served two terms on the Queens District School Board and was a councillor in the former Town of Liverpool. He has chaired and served on numerous committees over the years and was also Deputy Mayor of the Region of Queens.
He now operates Henley’s Blood Collection Services from his own home and in the South Shore District Health laboratory on a casual basis.
He is married to Linda. They have three children and five grandchildren.
MacLeod, who seconded the nomination said, “He knows our community, he knows our people, and he’s very well liked by all ages of people in our community.”
